“YELLOW” Home Wood Heating advisory issued for Eugene/Springfield and Oakridge, stagnant air to linger through the holiday weekend

LANE COUNTY — The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) issued a YELLOW
smoke advisory for Eugene/Springfield and Oakridge. This advisory will begin at 4 p.m. on
Wednesday, November 25th and continue through Thursday, November 26th at 4 p.m. LRAPA
expects stagnant air over the holiday weekend. More yellow advisory days are expected. The
Home Wood Heating Advisory webpage is updated at 2 p.m. each afternoon with that day’s
advisory which begins at 4 p.m.
“We will have the same airmass in the southern Willamette valley for the next few days,” says
Travis Knudsen, Public Affairs Manager for LRAPA. “Pollution from woodsmoke added to our
airshed won’t leave until early Monday. As a community we must collectively do our part and
keep the air clean by using alternative forms of heating or assure our fires are burning efficiently
and not producing smoke.”
Yellow advisories are cautionary warnings, predicting poor ventilation and stagnant air. Using
fireplaces and woodstoves is allowed on yellow days but LRAPA urges people to use other
forms of heat such as electric, propane, or natural gas. If air quality continues to degrade a RED
advisory may be issued prohibiting visible smoke from fireplace and woodstove use.
Help prevent a red advisory by burning clean with small, hot fires. Use dry, seasoned wood and
open dampers. LRAPA is sensitive to the fact that many Lane County residents rely heavily on
wood for their primary heat and economic exemptions are available in the LRAPA office or
online.
Wood combustion is the biggest cause of winter-time air pollution in Lane County. Degraded air
quality can trigger asthma attacks or increase negative long-term health impacts including
cancer, for children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing respiratory
conditions.

LRAPA reminds residents that even during a yellow advisory, thick, harsh smoke from a
chimney can result in enforcement action and a fine. The agency forecasts pollution levels 24/7
and provides the community with a daily home wood burning advisory. Call the Home Wood
Heating Hotline, 541-746-4328, or check LRAPA’s Home Wood Heating Advisory webpage for
current advisories.